Kia Sportage Claims Another Victory

WEYBRIDGE, UNITED KINGDOM – May 11, 2011: Diesel Car magazine has named the Kia Sportage “Best Crossover” in its annual Car of the Year issue – the fifth such title won by Kia’s compact SUV in the UK in less than a year.

Launched just last July the all-new Kia Sportage has also picked up a range of awards from overseas organisations including the prestigious red dot Design award in Germany and numerous magazine and industry awards from Korea to the United States.

Diesel Car Editor Ian Robertson said the awards showed that:”there has been a lot of new talent arriving on the motoring scene in the past 12 months despite the difficult market conditions!”

Kia Motors (UK) Ltd., Managing Director, Michael Cole said: “Winning Diesel Car titles is becoming something of a habit for Kia and it is one we hope to continue. Sportage has attracted a huge number of new people to the Kia brand – judging by some of the models that have been traded against it at dealerships up and down the country. I hope that after the launch of our all new Rio later this year with an outstandingly economical and clean three-cylinder 1.1 diesel engine and the knock-out Optima due before the end of 2011 that we shall be picking up more recognition from Ian next year!”

Since Sportage’s launch last year a number of titles have recognised the stunning design, excellent quality and of course Kia’s unbeatable seven year warranty.

CarBuyer made Sportage its inaugural Car of the Year at the Geneva Motor Show in March – Sportage also captured the Best 4x4 title; Fleet News names Sportage its Best Crossover of 2011, Total Off Road Magazine made Sportage its Best Junior SUV and the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers started the ball rolling with both Best SUV and Car of the Year titles in November of last year.

Sportage is available with four engine options – 1.6 litre and 2.0 litre petrol and 1.7 litre and 2.0 litre diesel - and in both two and four wheel drive variants. Prices start at £17,020 on the road. For more details go to www.kia.co.uk